Edwardsville hosts IESA Sectional; runners unfazed by steady rain; Liberty, Lincoln send several athletes to state; Bailey, Dowell win multiple events

Eighth grader Kristin Dowell dominates sectional, winning the 100-meter hurdles (above) and the 200-meter dash on Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood

DRAMATIC WIN - Lincoln 6th grader Ethan Townsend (left) wins the 7th grade mile at sectionals, just edging past ESL Younge's Javy Hinds at the finish line. Photo/Tom Atwood

Townsend drops to his knees after his photo-finish victory in the 7th-grade mile. Photo/Tom Atwood

Erica Bailey, winner of the sectional mile and 800-meter run, gets a hug after running the mile in 5:45:4. Photo/Tom Atwood

Lincoln's Elizabeth Lynn qualifies for state, finishing 2nd in the mile in a time of 5:51. Photo/Tom Atwood

Lincoln 7th graders battle in the 4 X 100 relay at sectionals Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood

These runners warmed up with an umbrella, trying in vain to keep dry in the steady rain Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood

Megan Keil edges Lincoln's Allie Sweatt to win the mile Saturday; both runners qualify for the the IESA State Finals next weekend. Photo/Tom Atwood

Keil wins the 8th grade mile in a time of 5:54.4. Photo/Tom Atwood

VOICE OF THE IESA - EHS Senior Greg Dunn serves as Master of Ceremonies at the sectional meet Saturday at the Winston Brown Track & Field Complex. Photo/Tom Atwood